Best Protein Bars: The Most Searched Protein Bars (2026)
Ranked by what people actually search
Last updated: November 1, 2026
Looking for the best protein bars? These are the protein bar brands people in the US search for most every month, ranked by how many people search for each one, not by who pays us. Protein bar searches add up to about 1.62 million a month. Barebells leads with about 246,060, followed by David and Quest.
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The 10 most searched protein bar brands
| Rank | Brand | Searches/mo |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Barebells incl. 66,900 for the “barbell” misspelling | 246,060 |
| 02 | David | 124,130 |
| 03 | Quest | 51,340 |
| 04 | Built (incl. Puff) | 47,230 |
| 05 | Kirkland Signature (incl. “costco protein bars”) | 38,600 |
| 06 | Aloha | 28,140 |
| 07 | Pure Protein | 26,500 |
| 08 | ONE | 18,600 |
| 09 | RXBAR | 14,420 |
| 10 | Clif Builders | 14,210 |
Searches/mo = each brand’s total estimated monthly US searches, all name variants and products added together (Semrush, October 2026).
The top 10, with where to buy
1.Barebells
Barebells is a Swedish protein bar brand known for candy-bar-style flavors like Caramel Cashew. It also sells direct.
2.David
David bars are labeled at 150 calories, 0g sugar and 28g protein (some flavors have 20g), according to David’s own site. They use EPG, a fat substitute. See the lawsuit section below.
3.Quest
Quest makes protein bars, chips and cookies, and its bars are some of the most widely sold in stores.
4.Built (incl. Puff)
Built makes protein bars, including its Puff bars with a lighter, marshmallow-style texture.
5.Kirkland Signature (incl. “costco protein bars”)
Kirkland Signature is Costco’s store brand, so its protein bars are sold at Costco.
7.Pure Protein
Pure Protein is a lower-priced protein bar brand sold in most grocery and big-box stores.
9.RXBAR
RXBAR is known for printing its few main ingredients, like egg whites, dates and nuts, on the front of the wrapper.
Also popular
Just outside the top 10, by monthly searches. FitCrunch’s count includes searches for Robert Irvine, the chef behind it.
- Gatorade: about 13,700 searches a month
- Power Crunch: about 12,820 searches a month
- FitCrunch: about 12,400 searches a month
- Rise: about 10,120 searches a month
- Fulfil: about 9,700 searches a month
- Kind: about 9,600 searches a month
- Think!: about 9,500 searches a month
- Nature Valley: about 9,400 searches a month
- NuGo: about 9,220 searches a month
The David protein bar lawsuits: what happened
“David protein bar lawsuit” gets about 5,400 searches a month. There were two separate cases, both in federal court in New York:
- A consumer class action over calories and fat. Filed January 23, 2026, it claimed lab tests found 263 to 275 calories and up to about 13 grams of fat per bar, versus the 150 calories and 2 to 2.5 grams on the label. David denied it, saying its labels follow FDA rules and the difference comes from how calories are measured with EPG. The plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the case on March 30, 2026. No court ruled on the claims.
- An antitrust case over EPG. Three other food makers sued after David bought Epogee, the only maker of EPG, in May 2025 and stopped selling it to them. A judge dismissed the claims and denied an injunction in February 2026, then let the plaintiffs file an amended complaint in March 2026. As of our last check, that case was still pending.
Sources: USA Today, AgFunderNews.
Other popular protein bar searches
By monthly volume: protein bar chocolate (40,500), Quest protein bar (12,100), best tasting protein bars (6,600), high protein bars (5,400), refrigerated protein bars (3,600) and best protein bars at Costco (1,000).
Chocolate protein bars High protein bars
Low-sugar, keto and plant-based bars
Diet-style protein bar searches add up to about 156,000 a month.
What are the best protein bars?
By search interest, Barebells leads, followed by David, Quest, Built and Kirkland Signature. This page ranks by searches, not taste tests or nutrition.
What are the best tasting protein bars?
“Best tasting protein bars” gets about 6,600 searches a month. Barebells and ONE are known for dessert-style flavors. Taste is personal, so try a variety pack.
Is there a David protein bar lawsuit?
There were two. A consumer class action over calorie and fat counts was dropped by the plaintiffs on March 30, 2026, without any court ruling. A separate antitrust case by other food makers over David’s purchase of EPG maker Epogee was dismissed in February 2026, but the plaintiffs were allowed to refile.
What are refrigerated protein bars?
Bars made to be kept cold, often with nut butters and fewer preservatives. They get about 3,600 searches a month.
How this list is ranked: estimated monthly US searches from Semrush keyword data (pulled October 2026), with name variants added together. Search interest is not sales, and it isn’t a review. Brands we can’t link to stay on the list.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, What Are People Buying earns from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links never change the order; the ranking comes from search data only. Read our affiliate disclosure.